Its head will have authority over a variety of departments to better coordinate care and prevent problems that have led to child deaths. To reduce bureaucracy, the czar will report directly to the supervisors rather than to various agency leaders.

The vote comes a year after the death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. The Palmdale boy died after he allegedly was tortured by his mother's boyfriend. Social workers let him stay in the home despite numerous reports of abuse.